It is with great sadness that the Ministry of Defence must confirm that a British soldier from the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, attached to 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment, was killed in Afghanistan yesterday, Tuesday 22 July 2008.

A further two soldiers from 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment were injured in the incident, which occurred at 1818 hrs local time on Tuesday 22 July 2008 when the soldiers' routine patrol came under enemy fire in the Kajaki area of Helmand province.

Whilst returning fire one soldier from 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment was injured by a mine. While leaving the scene after suppressing the enemy, a vehicle in which other soldiers were travelling hit a suspected Improvised Explosive Device. One soldier from 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment was injured and one soldier from the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers sustained serious injuries.

The soldier from the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, despite the best medical efforts at the scene, died a few minutes later. All casualties were extracted to the Camp Bastion medical facilities where they received medical care. Their injuries are not life threatening.

The next of kin of all three soldiers have been informed and have requested a 24 hour period of grace before further details are released.